Chapter 2 Two

EMILIAN

The trial was about to end and I couldn't feel more pleased with the way I handled it, I was sure that the judge would rule in our favor.

I turned my gaze to meet the worried expression of Signora María Contreras, my current client; I surreptitiously reached out my hand and squeezed his to provide him with some support.

We all got up as soon as the highest authority that was there left through the door located in a corner of the room. He waved us to sit down again.

"After hearing both sides, I am ready to render my ruling, however I want to hear closing arguments. So, you have the floor, Counselor Basile. He indicated with a flick of his wrist.

I got up until I was near the dais. Normally we don't need to do it, I could talk from the desk, but I felt more comfortable and in control of the situation that way.

-Until the moment he reaches the age of majority, the son has the right to be supported by his parents -I pointed out that point concisely, since it was the first thing that had been commented, however, he did not want to stop emphasizing it . -Both parents are obliged to provide the minor with what is necessary for their subsistence, this based on the earnings of each one. I continued, I could feel my colleague's gaze on my counterpart. -My client has fully complied with each of these aspects, however , he requests what his son is entitled to: that his father look after him financially. I added to my speech with a confident expression. -Nothing more to add yours honor . -I ended up going back to my place

The judge nodded in my direction and gave the floor to the defense lawyer, who refused, saying that he had nothing more to add

"Of course, although that tactic was a mistake. He should have had the last word if he wanted to at least give his client a chance» I thought, observing the rookie mistake he had made.

"Very well, then I'll take a half hour recess to review my decision." See you then. He stated, ending the session.

Maria and I left the room. I felt confident and secure in the judge's verdict. I wasn't arrogant, but I knew how good I was at my job.

I decided to study law when I was ten years old, I suppose that seeing my father among so many documents and cases had deeply affected me. The sense of justice was deeply rooted in me since I was a child, so I always knew what my vocation in the world would be.

I didn't have it easy, when I got to the University I had to prove that I was there by my own means and not because of the intervention of my father, who at that time was a relatively recognized lawyer in his field. I studied hard and put all my effort into acquiring as much knowledge as possible.

I must confess that despite the fact that today I work in a renowned law firm in the city, my grades during my student days left much to be desired; mainly because he did not believe that job success was proportional to an extraordinary qualification. Memorizing a concept gave you no guarantee that you would be able to apply it in the world of work.

"You, Dannata! shit ! -The insult coming from a male voice brought me out of my memories, we were in a court corridor about to go outside.

- Avvocato Lombardo, you should advise your client to maintain due respect, even for the place where we are. I suggested firmly.

My colleague gave me an apologetic look and tried to lead Signore Marcus, if he could be called that, away from us. However, he did not allow it and spoke again, this time with more fury.

"You already got what you wanted, trick me." That child shouldn't even be mine. he stated, spitting out the words as if they were poison.

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed how those words hurt Maria, her face had turned red and she was ready to answer him.

I put a hand on his shoulder and secretly shook my head to prevent him from saying something that could jeopardize what we had achieved so far. I answered for her, my voice coming out cool and flat, the tone of a professional she'd honed over the years.

'There is a DNA test confirming your paternity Signore Marbello. You can ask your lawyer for a copy, if you don't already have it. I stated sarcastically. -And all the doubts you have, you can raise them with the judge. I said firmly, though the threat was implicit in my words. He must have noticed it too because he didn't comment.

Satisfied with her reaction, I took Maria by the arm and the two of us walked out of the courtroom. It was a beautiful day, sunny and happy; the weather gave the atmosphere a lovely look, almost like something out of a celebrity magazine.

-Ignore him. I ordered when I saw his saddened expression. "He knows he has the odds to lose and he's only bleeding from the wound." "May I buy you something to eat?" I asked when I saw that his face was still the same.

"No, I couldn't abuse your kindness like that..." she said embarrassed, but she stopped when she saw my face. "Okay... Is there no way to change her mind?"

I shook my head laughing.

-Stubbornness is an important aspect when you want to dedicate yourself to what I do. You cannot give up so easily and you must be able to insist until the end. I explained as I led her to a small restaurant on the other side of the street.

The place was full of diners due to the time, it was almost 1:00 pm, despite that, it was not difficult for us to get a table, because they already knew me there.

I really enjoyed the place, I practically spent my time in the courts so it was the closest place I had to have a quick lunch. We sat at a table overlooking the street, and it wasn't long before a waiter came to serve us.

-Possessed thing offrirvi ragazze oggi ? he asked in Italian mixed with an assent that I couldn't recognize, which immediately gave him away as a foreigner. He had a tanned complexion, blue eyes, and a slim build, but in shape, he could easily pass for a bona fide Italian.

I smiled and ordered immediately, it came often so I knew the entire menu from top to bottom. Being a family business, they did not tend to renew their essence much, although that was precisely the distinctive mark: a cozy and classic atmosphere where you could enjoy traditional Italian food.

The furniture was light brown in color, which matched perfectly with the burgundy-toned walls and the paintings depicting different tourist areas of the city.

-Ne voglio un piatto di Rigatoni there Thank you , please . I said, then looked at my client. "Cosa vuoi , Maria?"

-Stees it . she replied blushing.

That reaction touched me, despite having lived in Italy for two years, I still had not fully mastered the language. I wondered how such a charming and shy young woman had ended up with a man like that, so disgustingly unpleasant.

On a few occasions I wanted to question her about it, but I seemed to be taking too many liberties. She had told me what I needed to know about the history between the two of them, but I sensed that this string was still too long.

- Perfect , come on What 's right ? the waiter asked again, writing down our order in a small notebook.

Maria again , hoping she would choose something to her liking.

-I don't know much about wines, he left it to his discretion. He stated without hesitation.

That said, he did not understand what he had seen that charming young woman in that idiot.

-A bottle of Pinot Gray , please . Having written the last, the waiter nodded goodbye and went for the food.

I looked at María, the poor thing looked a little uncomfortable, I hoped she didn't feel out of place because that was not by far the most expensive restaurant I had eaten in, if she knew the amount of money I was spending in a saucer, he would go into cardiac arrest right there.

I did not refuse to enjoy the more mundane pleasures of life.

While we waited for our food, we dedicated ourselves to talking about banal things, especially about her little son, who was not yet two years old. By that point I already knew a lot about Maria's life.

She was Latina, which explained her straight dark hair, olive skin, honey-colored eyes, and short stature. Her family came from Panama, they were middle class and she was the youngest of four siblings. He was also relatively young, being only 24 years old.

How then had he been able to afford a life in Italy?

Simple, María played the violin wonderfully and had been awarded a scholarship at one of the most important conservatories in the country.

He had met his son's father in a bar, since that jerk was a friend of the owner's son. It was at that time that all her plans went overboard: she got pregnant, the man disappeared so as not to take care of her, and she had to raise her son without help.

Though he tried to avoid it, he couldn't help but feel sorry for her; without family, alone and in a foreign country. She obviously dropped out of school, trading her violin for a suit and a computer, as she worked as a secretary at a small-time publishing house.

That's why don't hesitate for a second to put me at your service when you show up at the firm. None of my colleagues wanted to take the case because they were pro-bono , that is, we would not charge them anything for my fees. Frankly, I didn't care about money.

If women don't support each other.

Who else was going to do it?

Lunch didn't take long to arrive and we both dedicated ourselves to eating, refusing the waiter's offer of dessert, explaining that we had just time.

- Bon appetit . I toasted, clinking my glass with hers, and then taking a sip of the wine, enjoying the pleasant taste of the drink.

-It's delicious. Maria admitted, looking at her glass adoringly.

I smiled. Definitely, given the opportunity, he should show this young woman what good Italian cooking was.

We ate in silence, by the time we finished there were five minutes left to go back to court; Maria insisted on paying half of the bill, but I refused, holding my ground, she needed that money more than I did. Besides, it was up to me to do it, since I had invited her, that was fair.

We left the restaurant, crossed the street again and went up the steps two at a time until we reached the room that corresponded to us.

My counterpart was already there with his representative, I did not deign to look at them and urged María to do the same. His lordship made an appearance and we stood up to receive him, and once we were all seated we prepared to listen to the verdict.

-After discussing it extensively, I have decided to guide myself by the best for the minor. Therefore, I define the following: Mr. Marcus Miller must pay child support for Andrés Contreras by virtue of the relationship between them and until he reaches the age of majority. the judge decreed seriously. -The amount will be stipulated based on the purchasing power of the defendant and will be sent to both parties. That's it, happy afternoon everyone. He stated getting up, we all imitated him and saw him disappear into his office.

I didn't hold back anymore and hugged Maria tightly; the young woman did the same and when we parted I saw that her eyes were shining and tears were rolling down her cheeks. He had an expression of relief and happiness that made me remember why he had decided to study law.

-We did it! mole thank you , signorina basile, molte thanks . - he inquired thanking. I took her hands and gave her a reassuring smile.

-You do not have to thank me. I only enforced the law. I stated. And it was true, all he had done was do justice for her and her son.

"I'll never have a way to pay you back." Maria continued tearfully.

-If you take me some of those delicious empanadas that you prepare, rest assured that I will consider myself well served. I said jokingly.

Maria nodded vigorously.

-That's for sure, I'll send you all the ones you want or better, I'll take them myself. she stated determinedly.

We left the courtroom, before saying goodbye I explained to María what was needed to conclude the case and the information she would need to send her the deposits month by month, I also told her that tomorrow I would go for the document with the result of trial, that it was important we had a copy.

I accompanied her to the subway entrance and then took a taxi that will take me to the firm: Calaglieri e soci . The streets were packed, there was a traffic jam everywhere, so it took me longer than usual to get there.

Normally it was about 20 minutes from Il court Ordinari di Roma to the Calaglieri office that was on Via Prisciano , but it took me 40 minutes to get to the building, take the elevator that would take me to the 4th floor, and find myself in the familiar work environment when its doors opened.

I walked in the direction of my office, on the way I greeted some colleagues and staff who worked there, I did not spend much time because I had a lot of things to do, even so, they all returned my greetings effusively, since the appreciation and respect was well known. that aroused in my work team.

I entered my office, closing the door in the process, raising an eyebrow at the sight of a male figure sitting confidently at my desk.

Get out, Camilo. I ordered, waving my hands to scare the man away as if he were an annoying insect.

The aforementioned smiled as he got up from my position and approached to leave a kiss on my cheek as a welcome, I resisted the temptation to clean the area with my hand, it was already his case that one of the two was completely impolite. When I was in my chair I signaled for him to take a seat in front of me.

-What do you want? I asked getting straight to the point. I knew Camilo, he was my friend, but that didn't take away from the fact that the only reason he could have for visiting my office was a favor.

"I heard you won the child support case. Congratulations! he yelled in an effusive tone. -I know that's not your area, so I'm very proud of you. he stated in a wheedling tone.

I examined it with a scrutinizing gaze. I didn't believe a single word of him. Although I was grateful for the gesture, he was right, I was leaving for criminal law and that lawsuit had been family law, of course I did not mention it; I knew what his game was and I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me fall for it. I was just trying to turn the page to distract myself.

Thank you very much, glad you noticed. I admitted, though the sarcasm was palpable in the politeness. I repeat: what do you want? I asked again, firmer than before.

Camilo smiled at me innocently, I immediately tensed up, nothing good came out of that expression.

What had the idiot gotten us into?